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Ottawa announced this week that Canada has regained market access to Taiwan for Canadian beef and beef products from animals over-thirty-months of age.
It was just last month that Federal Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau announced that an agreement had been reached.
The regained access now opens the door to expanding Canadian beef exports to Taiwan and diversifying export markets in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan had imposed import restrictions for under-thirty-month and over-thirty-month Canadian beef, following the discovery of BSE in 2003.
Market access for under-thirty-month Canadian beef was regained in July 2016.
In 2021, Canada was officially recognized by the World Organisation of Animal Health as having negligible risk status for BSE.
Bibeau says Canada exports nearly half of its agricultural production and as a trusted supplier, our high-quality products are sought-after around the globe.
"Expanding our trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific region is a top priority for the Government of Canada, and Taiwan presents many opportunities for Canada’s beef sector."
Nathan Phinney, President of the Canadian Cattle Association has said that resuming market access to Taiwan is important as it also sends a strong signal to others in the Indo-Pacific region - an area which holds great potential for us in terms of exports.
"Taiwan's move in doing this on science-based trade really sends a solid signal that there's a desire for our Canadian product worldwide. We're glad that they recognize it, we're glad that they followed the science, and today is great news. We're always looking to diversify our markets."
Statistics show that in 2022, Canada was the 7th largest supplier of beef and beef products to Taiwan, accounting for nearly $14 million.